Gruesome Incident in Edo: 16 Men Burnt to Death by Mob Over Kidnapping Allegations

 

Tragedy struck in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi, Edo State, as 16 travellers from Northern Nigeria were burned to death by a mob after being accused of kidnapping.

The horrific incident occurred on Thursday, March 27, when the men, who were traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the upcoming Sallah celebrations, were intercepted by local vigilantes around 1:30 p.m.

Reports indicate that the travellers were found carrying machetes and locally-made dane guns, which raised suspicions among the vigilantes. Without concrete evidence, they were accused of being kidnappers.

The situation quickly escalated as an angry mob gathered, fueling tensions and leading to a brutal attack.

The victims’ truck was set ablaze with some of them trapped inside, while others were forcibly removed, placed in a wheelbarrow, and thrown into a fire in the middle of the road.

In a disturbing video circulating online, one of the victims is heard crying out in pain as flames consume him.

A female voice in the background expresses sympathy, saying, "Oh, he's crying," while a male voice responds coldly, "So e dey pain you?" Another voice adds, "Ehn, na so, make them die."

By the time security operatives arrived at the scene, it was too late—the men had already been killed in what has been widely condemned as an act of jungle justice.

The viral video has sparked outrage and mixed reactions online, with some insisting that the victims were hunters rather than kidnappers. The incident has also reignited a national debate about mob violence and the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands.

While authorities have yet to issue an official statement, calls for justice and accountability are growing louder.